Jul 10, 2014
Work will start on a national High Performance Centre at the Irish Institute of Sport after Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar signed off on the project today.
The Centre will provide training, rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning facilities for athletes in a new extension at the existing Irish Institute of Sport building at the National Sports Campus in Dublin.
Athletes from a wide range of sports will be catered for including boxing and athletics. Dedicated facilities will include a six-lane running track, jumps area, performance analysis area, strength and conditioning facilities, rehabilitation and physiotherapy areas and a boxing area.
“I’m delighted that work can now start on the High Performance Centre. It represents the first stage of the new National Indoor Arena and will be completed in time to support our elite athletes in their preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” Minster Varadkar said.
“The Institute of Irish Sport already offers unparalleled support for our elite athletes and these new facilities will expand the range of services available.”
Minister Varadkar also approved the start of work on a Campus Pavilion building, to accommodate changing facilities for the National Indoor Arena. Work on the High Performance Centre and Pavilion Building is expected to start in September for a nine month period, once the necessary procurement process has been conducted by the National Sports Campus Development Authority.
Jul 4, 2014
Federation of Irish Sport Annual Conference 2014 – Feedback
The Federation of Irish Sport held its second annual conference back in May at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. The theme of the conference was Shaping Sports Future with Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Mr Leo Varadkar the keynote speaker.
The conference was generally felt to be a success with over 160 people attending – building on the previous year’s inaugural event- however we believe there is still further room for improvement and appreciated the feedback we received from delegates.
Asked on their opinion of the conference – 97% answered that it was either exactly how they had anticipated it or it was better than they had anticipated – 50% said better, 47% said exactly as anticipated.
Asked if they were likely to attend next year’s conference, based on this year’s event 76% of those who took the survey said they were ‘very likely’. A further 13% said they would be ‘somewhat likely’ while 11% answered ‘unsure’.
Finally, we asked if attendees had any recommendations that they felt could improve the day in terms of moving forward. Below is a summary of the major points raised:
- More time should be allocated for a Q&A between the floor and the panellists. The majority of respondents thought the level of those speaking were of a very high calibre, but requested more time to ask some questions. A workshop was also suggested.
- Many thought the interviews between the Conference and the meal were hard to hear due to the proximity from the stage to the bar and delegates desire to network during this period. The Federation were disappointed this part of the conference could not be heard by some as the topics discussed were particularly interesting.
- ‘Pin on’ name badges were suggested instead of the lanyards. It was argued they would be at eye level and thus better utilised.
- Email addresses as well as contact information for all attending delegates be made available to take home.
Jul 4, 2014
Featured Event: Special Olympics Ireland Games 2014
“LET ME WIN BUT IF I CANNOT WIN LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT”
-Athlete Oath
Location: Limerick, Clare & Tipperary.
DATE: Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th June 2014
PARTICIPATING TEAMS/ATHLETES/SPORTS: 1,500 athletes took part in 14 olympic type sports over the entire weekend. There was a wide variety of sports across the three counties, with the majority taking place in University of Limerick. UL facilities are amongst the best in the country acted as a great centre for the occasion.
The sports included were:
- Athletics
- Aquatics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Bocce
- Bowling
- Equestrian
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Kayaking
- Motor Activities Training Programme
- Pitch and Putt
- Table Tennis
About Special Olympics Ireland:
Special Olympics Ireland is a sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability, but it provides athletes with far more than the physical benefits of sport. Special Olympics changes lives. Through sport, athletes develop both physically and emotionally, they make new friends and realise their dreams. Special Olympics Ireland enables our athletes to achieve and win not only in sport but in life too.
Special Olympics Ireland currently has almost 10,000 registered athletes participating in 15 sports in 385 Clubs throughout the island of Ireland. These athletes are supported by their families and a team of 25,000 volunteers who give of their time to help out at sporting and fundraising events.
MISSION
The mission of Special Olympics Ireland is “to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.”
VISION
The vision is to build the programme offered by Special Olympics Ireland so that every person with a learning disability has the opportunity, in their local community, to participate in high quality sport and development activities that bring life-changing experiences of increased skills, self-confidence and joy.
THE EVENT:
Venue – With Limerick as the centre, the Games took place within a big geographical area, encompassing three counties. The centre of the Special Olympics was in University of Limerick (UL) in Castletroy. UL was the venue for Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Kayaking and Motor Activities Training Programme. Those taking part in Golf did so at the Ballykisteen Golf Club in County Tipperary, while Equestrian took place in the Clonshire Equestrian Centre in Adare County Limerick. Mary Immaculate College hosted the Table Tennis as well as the Badminton while Bocce was took place in the Delta Sports Dome, again in Limerick. Pitch n’ Putt took place at Murroe Pitch and Putt. Finally the third County – Clare – hosted Bowling at the Ennis Leisure World.
Event in Numbers – The Special Olympics Games in Limerick saw a magnificent level of participation. Five Delegations from Eastern, Connaught, Leinster, Munster and Ulster regions participated comprising 1,500 athletes, xxx coaches with 3,000 volunteers giving of their time to host the Games. Over 7,000 people attended the Opening Ceremony, which began with a parade of the Delegations through Limerick City culminating in the People’s Park with a host of entertainers, including signer Paddy Casey. There was a real carnival atmosphere in Limerick with the people of Limerick coming out in huge numbers to cheer on the teams
What next for Special Olympics in 2014?
As a result of these games, 100 Athletes will be chosen to represent Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Summer games in Los Angeles next year.
On a continual basis Special Olympics offers weekly training across multiple sports as well as regular competitions for those who want to compete. Competition is not for everyone, so our focus is on participation and helping every athlete achieve their personal best.
How the event went:
The Special Olympics in Limerick was a major success. With 1,500 athletes taking part in 14 sports the variety of sport was one of the major highlights.
Special Olympics Ireland CEO Matt English said: “We need to make sure that every new athlete that joins the programme their lives will be changed and they will get to experience hopefully a life-long involvement, because Special Olympics have athletes here today the youngest was 8 and the oldest was 77. It is life-long.”
English continued: “We want to make sure that after this we keep Special Olympics strong because there are 1,500 athletes participated in the games here but there are 10,000 athletes that are training week in week out and I think it’s important that people realise that we need never to get complacent about Special Olympics.”
The games smooth running was hugely attributed to the 3,000 plus strong volunteer force and whose help was invaluable.
English also praised the 120 health professionals, including opticians, dentist, podiatrists and dieticians, who were on hand to give out expert free advice to athletes, who availed of full eye tests and were given prescriptions for new glasses and goggles free of charge.
Jul 4, 2014
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership
Background:
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership, an Irish Sports Council initiative, was set up in 2008 and works closely with its local partners to promote participation, inclusion and coordination in sport at a County level.
Based within the County Council offices in Dún Laoghaire our three key functions are; (1) Information Collection, (2) Education & Training, and (3) Strategy Implementation.
The Board of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership is made up of representatives of those agencies regarded as key influencers in local sports development. This interagency and collaborative work of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership adds value and complements the work of other state, sporting and local bodies. This is achieved through the delivery of national programmes, supporting all to participate, attracting funding, developing new initiatives and sharing information on sport in the County.
The new 5-year County Sports Participation Strategy 2013-2017 builds on the achievements of our initial 3-year plan. It has adopted a long-term approach to increasing participation and the benefits of active living in particular among its key target groups of: girls and women, disadvantaged young people, older adults, people with a disability, Travellers and ethnic minorities.
Some Actions and Impacts:
In 2013 we organised and delivered a wide range of training courses, workshops and physical activity programmes across the County for all ages and abilities.
Training & Development Included:
- Sports Volunteer Recognition Awards – celebration of volunteering
- Workshops in Child Protection, Sports First Aid, Disability Inclusion and
- Sports Volunteer Development Programme – workshops across 10 administrative areas for club leaders
- Club Seminar on upcoming Garda Vetting Legislation
- Y-Path – pilot intervention programme targeted at 1st years focusing on fundamental motor skills.
Participation Programmes & Events Included:
- dlr Community 5K – over 1,000 people of all ages and abilities.
- Older adult activity taster sessions and weekly programmes across 3 public leisure centres
- Promotion of Walking and Cycling – including a Family Fun Cycle for over 250 people and Operation Transformation walk for 360 participants
- Active Dance – TY girls programme using fun activity and education
Disability Sport Development & Programmes
- Assisting and supporting those with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity
- Inclusive Sport Programmes included; Access Sailing, Inclusive Cycling, NRH Spinal Championships, Boccia & Powerchair Football clubs, Feeling Good Event, Integrated Dance
- Awareness raising and capacity building with local partners
Fostering Active Communities:
Our goal for the next five years is that those who live, work in or visit our County will be active, healthy, and involved in sport & physical activity in their community. This will be achieved through the work and support of all local partners including the County Council, sports clubs, education providers and statutory agencies. While being inclusive of all ages, abilities and backgrounds particular attention will be focused on target groups that are recognised as having lower levels of participation.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership
01-271 9502
sportspartnership@dlrcoco.ie
www.dlrsportspartnership.ie
Jul 4, 2014
The Federation caught up with swimmer James Scully from Paralympics Ireland at the National Acquatic Centre recently. James talked about his fear of spiders, dinner with Jennifer Laurence and his dog Rocko!
Q1. What is your routine when you are training?
This year we’ve stepped it up again, were back in the NAC, it’s all evenings now. We train 7 times in the pool –once a day and then twice on Saturday and you’ll have about 3 gym sessions a week so you’re talking the guts of 20 hours training. In the weeks leading up to competitions that will increase – so this week we’ve had 9 sessions and an extra gym session – you’re getting about 40k done in the pool plus the gym plus physio, pilates. You build up to it, it’s what you have to do to get the results really.
Q2. What are your three most prized possessions?
Probably my first one is the medal from Montreal last year – Bronze medal in the World Championship. It’s my first and only for the moment international medal. It’s kinda a source of inspiration for me personally. Probably my car as well, love the car. Third prized possession, em probably the dog, the pet dog. He’s a valuable member of the family – he’s a good source of entertainment.
Q3. If you could invite 3 people to dinner – who would they be and why?
Let me think, first one would probably be Jennifer Laurence, obvious reasons (smile), she seems like good crack and stuff, obviously good looking. Second one, em let me think… Can you invite a team? The whole Dublin team, I’d bring the whole Dublin team to dinner, I’m a massive Dublin fan. And third one – Ian Thorpe, I find him a very interesting character I’d love to get to know him better, learn from his experiences
James said he’d have the entire Dublin team over for dinner!
Q4. What do you enjoy outside of sport?
Just literally the general things like anyone else, hanging out with the lads – obviously being a high performance athlete that has to be kinda not so much curtailed but managed better like you can’t be out drinking you can’t be out partying you have to keep things really focused but I still enjoy life with the lads going to the cinema driving around having the laughs
Q5. What’s your favourite film?
Favourite film hmmm…. Eh probably Saving Private Ryan to be honest – I’m big into the war films, I studied history in college so really enjoy that aspect.
Q6. What’s your favourite music?
To be honest I’m kinda into everything – the funny story with me is I’ve gone through every single phase. I’ve gone from rap phase, I was a rocker for awhile – I grew my hair long, listen to trans, I’ll listen to Il Divo at times (smile and a laugh). Really anything goes for me!
Q7. Any phobias?
Spiders! Arachnophobia big time. I dunno where it came from. One time I was asleep and I woke up and there was a huge spider down in the bed and normally I wouldn’t take any notice of this but this guy ran towards me so I just freaked and ever since I’ve had this weird thing of spiders. Not small spiders but the big guys with the big legs. Australia would be a no go for me!!
Q8. Any superstitions?
I’m not hugely superstitious but I suppose I’d kinda be give or take. I’d believe in fate not so much religious, but kinda chance and luck. I’d be a big believer in karma, I always believe when you do good something good is gonna happen to you, vice versa.
Q9. Do you have a sporting hero?
Ian Thorpe. I really admire him as an athlete, as a person as well even from what he said he’s been through. He suffered from huge depression, alcoholism problems like that. I really admire an athlete who especially a swimmer, all swimmers will know it’s a very lonely sport and everyone goes through a dark patch now and again. But to know that other really successful athletes have gone through, have emerged on top and really performed, he’s an inspiration to me and a massive role model
Q10. Where would you like to go on holidays – but you can’t have been there before?
Em let me think, I’d love to go to South America, I’ve heard it’s fairly mad down there, I’m kinda the person that would like to travel around. Swimming you get to travel around but you’re kinda stuck to the swimming pool or the hotel so you don’t really see much. Just a journey around and see what it’s like.
James chose South America as a destination he’d like to visit!
Q11. Any pets – you said you had your dog earlier?
Yeah we’ve the dog! My family we’ve had everything from rabbits to gerbils, hamsters to cats! (What’s the dog’s name?) Rocko, a small Jack Russell. He’s a character alright
Quickfire Round:
Twitter or Facebook
Twitter… oh no Facebook sorry, no I don’t like twitter
Movie or TV
Eh movies……
Chinese or Indian
Indian!
Early Night In or Late Night Out
I suppose I have to say early night in (laugh) but on my downtime I enjoy a night out with the lads. Bit of both – depending on whether I’m swimming or I’m on my downtime.
Jul 3, 2014
The Government’s commitment to sport and local communities was underpinned today when Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring announced grants of €40.5 million for 880 sports projects across the country.
Speaking at the announcement Minister Ring said: “Sports clubs and organisations are the lifeblood of communities across Ireland. I’m delighted to be able to show how much the Government values their role and contribution. Thanks to their largely voluntary work, these clubs and organisations are delivering on the Government’s target to get more people to be more active, more often.”
The €40.5 million allocated today is a 30% increase in funding over the €31 million allocated in the last Sports Capital Programme in 2012. The Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s main vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
A total of 2,036 applications were made under the 2014 Programme, the second highest number ever received under a Sports Capital Programme. A total of 821 of the successful allocations are towards local sports clubs and organisations, with the remaining 59 allocated to regional or national projects.
The facilities being funded today range from small-scale equipment grants, to regionally significant centres of sporting excellence.
This Government has now allocated over €85 million under the Sports Capital Programme since it came into office. Much of this funding has been allocated with the assistance of national governing bodies or local authorities. In the context of the tight budgetary situation, this level of funding shows a phenomenal commitment to sport and to local communities.
The allocations announced include funding for:
o Natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts;
o Floodlighting;
o Artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas;
o Security fencing and ball stop netting;
o Hurling walls / handball alleys;
o Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets;
o Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms;
o Non-personal sports equipment;
o Shared facilities;
o Permanently fixed outdoor gym equipment.
For a full break down of the grant by county click here
For a full break down of the grants given to non local sports allocations click here
The Federations Members received the following grants:
Athletics Association of Ireland – €200,000
Badminton Ireland – €150,000
Cricket Ireland – €60,000
Football Association of Ireland – €360,000
Gymnastics Ireland- €300,000
Irish Amateur Wrestling Association – €22,000
Irish American Football Association – €15,000
Irish Martial Arts Commission – €100,000
Irish Olympic Handball Association – €20,000
Irish Orienteering Association – €39,000
Irish Rugby Football Union – €100,000
Irish Table Tennis Association – €17,000
Irish Ten Pin Bowling Association – €3,000
Irish Tug of War Association – €17,252
Irish Wheelchair Association – Sport – €130,000
Paralympics Ireland – €200,000
Special Olympics Ireland – €17,000
Swim Ireland – €190,000
Triathlon Ireland – €150,000
Volleyball Association of Ireland – €62,000
Weightlifting Ireland – €26,000
